Diabetes Camp Helps Kids Manage Life With Chronic Disease

K21 Health Foundation is a sponsor for the 2014 Camp John Warvel, which offers traditional camp activities as well as constant medical assistance for children living with diabetes. Children ages 7 to 16 with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are eligible to attend. Teens with previous diabetes camp experience may apply for counselor-in-training positions. Join the American Diabetes Association Wednesday from 6 to 7 p.m. at Harrison Elementary School, 1300 Husky Trail, Warsaw, for an evening for families of children with diabetes.Enjoy dinner while learning about fun times at Camp John Warvel, keeping your child Safe at School, Americans with Disabilities Act resources for your family and more.Since 1955, Camp John Warvel has helped change the lives of thousands of children with diabetes by teaching them to manage their disease so they can live independent and fulfilling lives. Camp John Warvel is just one of many American Diabetes Association affiliated camps across the U.S. This is the fourth year K21 has supported Camp John Warvel. Sponsors like K21 Health Foundation makes camp a reality for any child who wants to go to camp. Monies donated go to registration costs and supplies. K21 will cover the entire cost of camp for any child that is living with diabetes ages 7 to 16 and is a resident of Kosciusko County.This year’s camp will run from June 8 to 14. Last year, 176 campers registered to participate in Camp John Warvel, which takes place at the YMCA Camp Crosley facility in North Webster. “What is so great about Camp John Warvel is that it gives kids the opportunity to be educated about diabetes and to learn new skills for better management of their disease while under constant medical supervision. They also get to meet other kids living with diabetes,” said K21 Grant Coordinator Holly Swoverland. “K21 is excited to once again give kids from Kosciusko County the opportunity to attend the camp,” she said.“Children with diabetes may feel very alone with their disease and may not know other kids in their communities or schools living with the daily challenges of diabetes. They may also have gaps in their knowledge about how to care for their disease,” said Linda DiMeglio, MD, MPH, co-medical director for Camp John Warvel, associate professor of pediatrics at Riley Hospital for Children, and past president of the American Diabetes Association’s Indiana Area Community Leadership Board.Children living with diabetes must face unique daily challenges, including frequent finger sticks to check blood glucose levels, injections to replace the insulin that their bodies cannot make or process, and daily vigilance to prevent complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, amputations and early death.Kosciusko County mother Nicole Dunn said, “My daughter, Hannah, has type 1 diabetes. This will be her fourth year to attend ADA Camp John Warvel. While at camp Hannah gets to learn new things about diabetes and is around other children living with diabetes.“The first year Hannah went I was nervous, but she looks forward to camp every year and wishes it was longer. I encourage any family in our county who has a child with diabetes to attend this camp. I would also personally like to thank K21 foundation for paying for camp. It's a blessing,” she said.Diabetes education is the main focus for children attending Camp John Warvel. Camp activities such as water sports, rock climbing, high ropes courses, horseback riding and more teach children how to manage their blood glucose levels during physical activity. Campers also learn a variety of techniques for managing their diabetes, including counting carbohydrates at meals. Last year, Camp John Warvel offered a nearly one-to-one ratio of camp staff to campers. To help send a child with diabetes to camp this year, contact Carol Dixon, senior manager of programs and Camp John Warvel for the American Diabetes Association – Indiana Area, at 888-342-2383, Ext. 6732, or cdixon@diabetes.org

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